Plastic squeeze mop



Dec. 16, W69 R. L. BAUMGARTNER 3,433,583

PLASTIC SQUEEZE MOP Filed Oct. 9, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ROBERT L. BAUMGARTNER 1969 R. L. BAUMGARTNER 3,483,553

PLASTIC SQUEEZE MOP Filed Oct. 9, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Dec. 116. 1969 R. L. BAUMGARTNER 3,483,583

PLASTIC SQUEEZE MOP 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct, 9, 1968 BNVENTOR ROBERT LBAUGARTNER nited States Patent Office 3,483,583 Patented Dec. 16, 1969 U.S. Cl. 15-119 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A unique molded plastic mop head which has means for self-wringing. The mop head is constructed of three integrally molded elements, namely, a base plate, a wringer plate and a sponge bracket, the wringer plate and sponge bracket being attached to the rear and forward edges of the base plate, respectively, by means of a plastic hinge. The sponge bracket folds into the bottom of the base plate and is maintained in this relation by a pressed fit, thereby providing reinforcement for the base plate and a bracket for a replaceable sponge. The wringer plate has longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs and pivots forward to allow the user to squeeze the sponge.

This invention relates to mop type cleaning devices and similar household implements, in particular those utilizing sponges.

Several problems have existed with regard to the use of plastic heads for mops. One of the principal problems to which this invention is directed is the inherent lack of rigidity in the structure and the corresponding need for some form of metallic reinforcement. This problem is especially apparent in mops of the self-wringing type having a hinged member which is pivoted over the sponge during the wringing operation since, if suflicient rigidity is not provided, the wringing operation will not remove adequate amounts of water.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an integrally molded connector means to allow for convenient replacement of the sponge element and also to provide channels for water flow which eliminate the need for a perforated wringer plate.

This invention solves the problem of rigidity of the base by providing an additional member (a sponge bracket) which folds into the base plate, thereby giving the overall base double its prior strength. The wringer plate is molded with longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs which provide the necessary rigidity in this member. These ribs also provide a distinct path for water flow which prevents spraying from the sponge or water running down the mop or Wringer handle. Both the sponge bracket and the wringer plate are pivotally attached to the base plate by means of a plastic hinge which allows all three elements of this new mop head to be molded as a single unit. Further advantages of this unique construction will become apparent from the more detailed description which follows. The accompanying drawings include:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the mop head showing each element in its extended position;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view of the mop head along section lines 33 of FIGURE 2 showing the extended and folded position of the sponge bracket plate and the operative and inoperative positions of the wringer plate;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the latching device;

FIGURE 5 is a setcional view along section lines S-5 of FIGURE 2 which shows the shape of the sponge bracket plate slide projections.

Referring specifically to the drawings, this invention provides an integrally molded plastic mop head 1 having a base plate 2 with front and rear edges 3 and 4.

The base plate 2 is molded with a tubular projection 5 which accommodates the mop handle 6. This projection is titled at an angle with the base in order to allow for the normal convenient mopping stroke.

A sponge bracket plate 7 is pivotally connected by means of a plastic hinge 8 to the front edge 3 of the base plate 2. An important purpose of the bracket plate 7 is to reinforce the base plate 2. In order to accomplish this purpose, the bracket plate 7 is folded into the bottom of the base plate 2 a final position as shown in FIGURE 3 by dotted lines 19. The bracket plate 7 is also provided with a socket 9 which aligns with the bottom of the base plate projection 5 when the bracket plate is in its folded position. This provides a firm seat for the end of the mop handle 6. In order to releasably attach a sponge to the mop head, the bracket plate is constructed with suitable connectors 10, as best shown in FIGURE 5, which in the preferred embodiment are slide projections which accommodate slide-type fasteners attached to the sponge. An example of such fasteners is illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 3,188,676. The bracket plate may also be provided with reinforcing ribs 11 for added strength.

Wringer plate 12 is connected to the rear edge 4 of base plate 2 by a plastic hinge 14. This plastic hinge in the preferred embodiment consists of two flexible plastic pivot joints 21, 22 separated by a plastic hinge strip 20. This hinge configuration allows a more complete wringing of the sponge than a device utilizing only a single plastic joint for the wringer plate. In order to strengthen the wringer plate and to allow for a more convenient flow of water, reinforcing ribs 13 are constructed running longitudinally along the face of the wringer plate 12. Actuating handle 15 is molded as part of the wringer plate 12 and is designed to give adequate leverage for the wringer operation. By means of handle 15, the wringer plate may be pivoted forward to wring the sponge which is attached to the sponge bracket plate 7 and then rotated to the rear where it may be secured against the tubular projection 5 by means of the latch members 16 and 17 in an inoperative position as shown by dotted line 18 in FIGURE 3. The latch members, as best shown in FIGURE 4, consist of latching aperture 16 molded into the back of wringer plate 12 which engages a latching ridge 17. The latching ridge 17 is integrally molded on the rear of the base plate projection. This plastic to plastic latch eliminates the inconsistencies and problems created by the bending of metal to metal latch elements or the swelling of the wooden handle in metal or plastic to wood latching devices. It also allows the latching member to be integrally molded in one process With the rest of the plastic mop head.

This plastic mop head is designed so that it may be constructed by standard injection molding practices. It has been found, however, that the best results are achieved when polyolefins, such as polypropylene and polyethylene are used since the characteristics of these plastics add measurably to the life of the plastic hinge. The mold structure is such that it insures the flow of molecules at right angles to the hinge line so that they assume a flexible alignment upon removal from the mold. To further insure proper alignment, the hinges are flexed several times after removal from the mold. In general, hinges having a width of from .010 to .020 inch provide the longest life. As a final step in production, the sponge bracket plate 7 is pivoted into the base plate 2. In this manner this invention provides a molded plastic mop head c mbining the advantages of added strength and rigidity with ease of production.

We claim:

'1. A self-wringing mop comprising a molded plastic mop head having front and rear portions with respect to the normal mopping stroke, said mop head comprising:

(A) a base plate having a centrally located tubular projection extending upward to accommodate a mop handle, said base plate being provided with a downwardly opening recess;

(B) a sponge bracket plate pivotally connected to the front edge of the base plate by means of a plastic hinge, such that the bracket plate folds into the recess of the base plate, said bracket plate having means for attaching a compressible mop element at its bottom surface; and

(C) a wringer plate pivotally connected to the rear edge of the base plate by a plastic hinge, such that the wringer plate may be pivoted forward to wring the mop element and then pivoted back to an inoperative position, said wringer plate having an actuating handle extending outward transverse to the longitudinal axis of the wringer plate and means for releasably securing the wringer plate to the base plate tubular projection in an inoperative position.

2. A molded plastic mop head according to claim 1, wherein said wringer plate is constructed having integrally molded ribs running longitudinally along the face of the wringer.

3. A molded plastic mop head according to claim 1, wherein said means for releasably securing said wringer plate to said base plate tubular projection comprises:

(A) an integrally molded latching ridge extending outward from the rear edge of the base plate tubular projection; and

(B) a latching aperture molded into the back of the wringer plate to engage the latching ridge in a pressed fit relation.

4. A molded plastic mop head according to claim 1, wherein said sponge bracket plate is constructed having projections on its lower surface which accommodate slide-type connectors on a replacable sponge.

5. A molded plastic mop head according to claim 1, wherein the sponge bracket plate is constructed having a socket which, when the bracket plate is in its folded position, aligns with the bottom of the base plate tubular projection and receives the end of the mop handle.

6. A molded plastic mop head according to claim 1, wherein said wringer plate is pivotally attached to the rear edge of the base plate by means of a plastic hinge, said hinge comprising a plastic hinge strip connected between the base and the wringer plates by flexible plastic pivot joints.

7. A self-wringing sponge mop comprising a molded plastic mop head having front and rear portions with respect to the normal mopping stroke, said mop head comprising:

(A) a base plate having a centrally located tubular projection extending upward to accommodate a mop handle, said projection having a male type latching ridge extending outward from the rear edge of the projection, said base plate being provided with a downwardly opening recess;

(B) a sponge bracket plate pivotally connected to the front edge of the base plate by means of a plastic hinge, such that the bracket plate folds into a pressed fit relation within the recess of the base plate, said sponge bracket plate having a socket which when the bracket plate is in the folded position aligns with the bottom of the tubular projection and receives the end of the mop handle, said bracket plate also having on its lower surface projections which ac commodate slide connectors on a replaceable sponge; and

(C) a wringer plate constructed with integrally molded reinforcing ribs running longitudinally along its face, pivotally connected to the rear edge of the base plate by a plastic hinge which is constructed having two flexible plastic pivot joints separated by a plastic hinge strip, said hinge allowing the wringer plate to be pivoted forward to wring the mop element and then pivoted back to an inoperative position, said wringer plate having an actuating handle extending outward transverse to the longitudinal axis of the wringer plate and a female latching aperture molded into the back of the wringer plate to engage the latching ridge of the tubular projection in a pressed fit relation thereby releasably securing the wringer plate to the base plate tubular projection in its inoperative position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1955 Trindl 15244 5/1958 Shannon 151l9 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 8/ 1964 Great Britain.

U.S. c1. X.R. 15-244 

